Ham and Potato Soup

Sometimes the simplest things in life are the best.  This wonderful ham and potato soup is just the thing to warm you up on a cold winter day when the North wind is blowing.  It is easy to make with ingredients you may have in the pantry.  I had a some leftover  ham to dice up, but at the market they sell packages of ham that has been diced for you.  The chicken stock gives the soup a real depth of flavor.  If you have some homemade chicken stock use it of course.  If not, one of those cartons of chicken broth that I always keep in the pantry works very well.  The finishing touch is a bit of crisp bacon sprinkled on the top.  Sheer heaven. 

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes

1/2 cup diced celery

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 cup diced cooked ham

3 cups of water

2 cups of chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

5 tablespoons butter

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

Garnish:

3 strips of bacon fried until crisp and chopped

Directions:

Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock, salt and pepper.

In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in the milk and continue stirring over low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.

Pour the milk and flour mixture into the stockpot, and cook gently until heated through. 

Garnish the soup with a little crisp bacon on the top and serve.  Bon apetit my friends!